Matthew 27:34 Meaning and Explanation
“They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Offered wine mixed with gall, Jesus tastes it but refuses to drink.
What Does Matthew 27:34 Mean?
Before the crucifixion Jesus is offered a drink of sour wine mixed with gall, a bitter draught perhaps meant to dull pain. He tastes it but will not drink, choosing to face the cross with full awareness.
The offered cup is bitter, and Jesus declines its numbing relief. He will drink the cup His Father has given Him to the dregs, refusing any easing of the suffering He has come to bear. The taste of gall recalls the psalm of the righteous sufferer, fulfilled here in fine detail. In refusing the dulling draught, the Savior embraces the full weight of the sacrifice He freely offers.
Matthew 27:34 in the Original Language
chole (χολή), 'gall' -- a bitter substance, here mixed into the drink offered at the cross.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 27:34
What does Matthew 27:34 mean?
Offered wine mixed with gall, Jesus tastes it but refuses to drink.